THE organiser of York's Festival Of Remembrance has appealed for it to be allowed to return to the city's Barbican Centre this autumn.

Ted Griffiths, of the Royal British Legion, has written to the centre's prospective operators, Absolute Leisure, after it emerged earlier this week that the UK Snooker Tournament may be staged again there during the autumn.

Council documents, obtained under the Freedom Of Information Act, revealed the company was set to take over the Barbican on a short-term lease so the tournament could go ahead.

When Absolute Leisure boss Tony Knox was asked whether the Festival Of Remembrance could be staged there as well, he said he understood the organisers were planning to go to the university this year, but he would do what he could if asked to help. Mr Griffiths said today that while he had made a provisional booking for the university's Central Hall, he would still prefer to use the Barbican, the festival's traditional home.

He said the Barbican had a greater audience capacity and would have more room for festival activities, and it would also be much easier for many older people to get to.

He said in a letter to Mr Knox that he had only made the university booking because of uncertainty over the Barbican's future, and he had not wanted to lose continuity by missing a year. He said: "I have already booked the major artistes for our festival, emphasising the venue is to be confirmed later."

He said Absolute Leisure had said last November it would be "very happy" to host the event on November 6 this year, but he had heard nothing since, and asked: "If you are successful in getting the snooker, is it possible for the York Festival Of Remembrance to take place at the Barbican?"

Absolute Leisure said today that, as soon as the company had taken over the running of the centre, Mr Knox would be "more than happy" to meet the festival organisers and discuss the possibility of staging the event there.

Meanwhile, organisers of another event traditionally held at the Barbican - York's Community Carol Concert - are hoping they too can return there next Christmas.

The concert, the proceeds from which go to The Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York's Christmas Cheer Fund and the Evening Press Community Appeal, had to relocate last December to the university.

Organising secretary Graham Bradbury said he too had provisionally booked the university, but wanted the Barbican if possible.

Updated: 11:14 Friday, May 27, 2005